Related
THIS THREAD IS NO LONGER BEING MAINTAINED. IF SOMEONE WISHES TO KEEP IT UP, PM ME.
This threadshould serve the purpose of gathering all what we know concerning the topics stated on the title. Most devices' forums have such a recopilation, so I think it's high time for the Play to have its own one.
First of all:
What is root? What does it mean that the bootloaders are locked and unlocked?
Given that we know what root is, we may want to know how we perform it. First we will consider the case where we want to root without unlocking our bootloaders. In order to do that, a root exploit called ZergRush seems to be working for all models. DoomLord has provided an automated way of using it which will make it ease for you all to root your phones if you so wish We even have CWM for locked bootloaders now, which will allow you to flash cooked ROMs based on stock.
The main reason why you basically need to unlock the bootloaders in order to be able to flash a different kernel, which is a necessity in order to flash true custom ROMs like CyanogenMod or MIUI. The reason for this is that SonyEricsson's implementation doesn't allow the kernel to be changed except using the Fastboot program, which can only be used on a computer. These custom ROMs require kernels which differ substantially from the stock one, so you can't simply flash them from recovery, they have to be coupled with a custom kernel as well.
Have you bought a sim-unlocked, unbranded R800i phone? Then you can follow these instructions. This method is official so unlocking your bootloaders won't affect your warranty, and it is free of charge as well. However, any software modification you perform (custom kernels, tweaks and ROMs) which is only possible by unlocking your bootloaders will void it. Aside of that, you need to take into consideration that you will have your DRM certificates wiped, and that they're unrecoverable. This used to lock you out of certain added-value that Sony provides, such as the Music Unlimited store and the TrackID app, but seemingly those apps have been updated in which they don't need said DRM certificates any longer. Note as well that your /data partition will be wiped too, so you will lose your apps and accounts (not the music, pictures or other content stored in the SDcard though).
It will cause OTA updates to brick your phone as well. Therefore, if you have unlocked your bootloader with this method, you can only safely upgrade your phone to new official Sony Ericsson builds using Flashtool . You have to reject every OTA update which comes. You can disable the OTA update function by wiping the proper APK file.
Have you bought any branded phone, or sim-locked to a carrier (the case of some R800i and all the R800a, R800at and R800x models)? Then you can't use the aforementioned method, but there is an XDA member who can help you unlock the bootloader. This method will cost you some money, around GBP15/ €18 / $25. If you're wary of having to pay, Alejandrissimo has proven himself reliable by unlocking dozens of phones with everyone singing praises of their work and him personally. Given that XDA has wiped all Xperia unlock threads, I'll link to his external site. It'd be good to read the first posts on this thread as they will allow you to prepare so that the unlocking process goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. There are three additional advantages to this method: you won't lose the DRM certificates, you will sim-unlock your phone (if you use a SIM of course), and OTA updates won't brick your phone.
Note that if you have a phone eligible for the first bootloader unlock method and you haven't used it yet, you can still use the second one if you so prefer.
So, you've unlocked your bootloaders. What to do now? You can relock them, but it wouldn't make much sense if you've just forked out your cash However it may come handy for warranty purposes.
If you've unlocked the bootloaders it's because you want custom kernels, ROMs... maybe you come from a phone with a development section bigger than the whole Xperia Play forum and you miss the daily flashing. While this phone doesn't have as wide a choice as, say, the Galaxy S, there are little things for us too as you will see below in the second post.
DISCLAIMER: You're heartily recommended to check the compatibility of the custom kernels, ROMs and other content. I'm linking the reference thread for every single piece of content to make this easier. Some content may be incompatible with your phone model or ROM, or decrease its functionalities. Proceeding cavalierly might earn you an unusable phone as a result. And needless to say, all of what you're doing will be under your own responsibility.
That said, the Xperia phones are really hard to brick. For soft bricks, your best bet is Flashtool. Hard bricks are VERY unlikely, but were you to come to that unfortunate situation, Alejandrissimo can help you to unbrick your phone in his website... and don't worry, that service is free
List of downloads
FTF Firmwares (and how to install them)
FTF Firmwares are files which bring basically what the phone came out of the factory with. Depending on the firmware, they can come with different bloatware, settings... and firmware versions. Make sure to check your phone model before flashing!
R800i - International model
R800a - American (non-US) model
R800at - US AT&T model
R800x - US Verizon model (since things with this model are a wee bit different in certain aspects, you're recommended to check this dedicated thread from netizenmt)
2.3.2
http://www.multiupload.com/2IBHV33CU5 (R800i, Gingerbreak compatible)
2.3.3
http://www.multiupload.com/96ODBZSW0J (R800i, 3.0 version)
http://www.multiupload.com/U6XELL1KFV (R800i, 4.0 version)
http://www.multiupload.com/T0FWBGYEC4 (R800x)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AHPIBU6B (R800a, 4.0 version)
http://www.multiupload.com/B9CI6MH39N (R800at)
2.3.4
http://www.multiupload.com/L4ZWC6H3HQ (R800i, 4.0.1 version)
http://www.multiupload.com/3N350OTW2J (R800i, 4.0.2.A.42 version)
http://www.multiupload.com/OABIOPUGX7 (R800i, 4.0.2.A.58 version)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1409355 (R800i, 4.0.2.A.62 version)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OLYU3BSF (R800a, 4.0.2.A.42 version)
All the firmware versions up to date can be rooted with the ZergRush exploit!
Custom kernels (and how to install them)
CM7 kernel (only for flashing CM7, not compatible with stock)
Darkforest Kernel
DoomLord's kernel (based in stock)
Doomlord's CM7 kernel (only for CM7, not compatible with stock)
Doomlord's MIUI kernel (only for MIUI Roms, not compatible with stock or CM7)
Doomlord's CDMA kernel (only for R800x phones)
MIUI kernels (only for flashing MIUI, see the thread for more details)
BlendMIUI Kernel
Custom ROMs
Stock-based
Cola by Hogwarts
DarkForest ROM by KeiranFTW
FTS by Frasertag
GB_Mixer by OTOGY2002
GingerStation by AndroHero
SE.TWEAKED by festa20
UK Firmware on R800x [CDMA] by 007shark
ZeroRom by zerojay
FXP (FreeXperia) Team projects - CyanogenMod ports
CM7
CM9
ICX (Ice Cream in Xperia) Team projects - Ice Cream Sandwich ports
AOSP port
Leaked ROM
MIUI ports
BlendMIUI by JasonStein
XMIUI (MIUI port) by XperiaPlayer and bheremans
Tweaks
Bravia Mobile Engine (punchier pictures and videos) (not compatible with CM7)
Dalvik2cache (more internal memory space)
apps2sd (another memory-saving trick)
CIFS and TUN modules
MegaBass (bass enhancer)
Notification toggles
Adding bootsounds for CM7/MIUI Roms
Various performance tweaks
Notification toggles for R800x phones
Boot animations collection
Two paid apps: Change Shoulder Buttons and Disable Auto Brightness
Themes
Galaxy S II theme by thomassafca
ICS theme by tekken179
GreenGlow by XperienceD (discontinued)
SonyEricsson UX by thomassafca
ICS theme for R800x phones by odst0016
Further ressources
Xperia Play Optimized Games List by TLRTheory
PSXperia, by yifanlu (I can't believe I hadn't put it!)
PSXperia 2.0 (works with 2.3.4!)
Mupen64Plus-Android Edition (N64 open-source emulator) by paulscode
Thanks
Blagus, for his work regarding kernels, bootloaders and for being our only dev in the first cold, cold months when Sony Ericsson ignored the phone.
DoomLord, for providing his cool kernels (for stock, CM7 and MIUI, even kernels for CDMA phones!), the ZergRush automation program and working hard for this phone, as well as his rendition of the Bravia Engine. Guys, he even asked for a phone to keep developing for us. He's done a great lot, and he deserves a lot of recognition and praise. Remember to vote with your wallet!
ashergray, for cracking the R800x bootloader, sharing his solution for free until it was dried out and giving hope for them too.
Also Mills0013, who helped ashergray and bricked a phone in the first attempts of assaulting the R800x, deserves a mention.
yifanlu, for developing PSXperia, a work of magic for which he deserved more than what he got, and for his work on the R800x bootloader unlock.
The FreeXperia team, for bringing the awesome CM7 and CM9 to us.
The ICX team, for one-upping Sony Ericsson with Ice Cream Sandwich.
FraserTag, for stepping forward and bringing the first custom ROM (system image).
The stock ROM cooks, and particularly AndroHero: Bis dat qui cito dat!
007shark for transplanting the UK firmware to the CDMA Plays.
XperiaPlayer and bheremans for porting MIUI.
JasonStein for bringing MOAR of MIUI.
Chainfire for Gingerbreak.
The whole lot of people who brought ZergRush to us.
Bin4ry and Androxyde for Flashtool, and of course, the people who bring us their Flashtool FTF files.
Thomassafca in particular has brought some Flashtool ROMs, the SGS2 theme and the notification screen bar tweak as well.
NielDK for being awesome and generous enough to get a Play for Blagus, and for the precompiled CIFS and TUN modules.
Hatcyl for developing us some nice content and yielding part of his app's proceeds to other devs.
Laberkopf for his dalvik2cache tweak.
KeiranFTW for his performance tweaks, his kernel and his ROM.
XperienceD and tekken179 for their respective themes.
TLRTheory for his tireless enthusiasm in all things Xperia Play, which shows in the list of games he has compiled with time.
paulscode for creating Mupen64Plus-AE and paying attention to us and bubblegumballoon for keeping tabs on it for us all.
Last but not least, Sony Ericsson didn't drop the phone like a hot knife as we feared. I guess that earns them some credit, particularly after their misdeeds with other phones....
Great job so far!
Sent from my R800at using Tapatalk
Thank you alot.
But:
Some links are not working correct.
I need your help here: does the free R800x BL unlock method still work? I need to start finetuning that kind of things for the people of other devices...
@IE_Core: wenn du mir kein Beispiel gibst kann ich eh nix tun i.e. I need the links which don't work!
Ja also der Dalvik2cache link füehr zum Flashtool und der CM7 Link führt nirgendwo hin. Klar soweit? =)
Fixed. Danke schön
Great job @Logseman
It's nice to be able to point noob's and others to this one SINGLE thread instead of numorous threads scattefred around the play's sub forum This will help out a lot mate and hopefully reduce some thread starts (Q&A+General)
Regards Dousan...
Ohh @RacecarBMW started a similar thread like this at one point, it must've drowned somewhere on the way and it is a long time since last updated
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1076660
Woowww dude you did a hell of a job here.I can't wait till I get my Xperia Play next week,once I receive it this is gonna be my "starting point"
Thanks a lot.
Un saludo de un madrileño,para un tinerfeño.
I think the post is done
I didn't know RacecarBMW had such a similar post! It would have saved me lots of time, lol.
I just hope this can be of use for everyone.
This is a fantastic thread!
Well put together! My only issue is that the Topic Title isn't quite eyecatching enough.
Should say like Xperia PLAY Guide to everything! (Root, Roms, Firmwares, Etc.)
or Xperia Play Resource Compilation Thread
I dunno just my thoughts
Updated with MIUI and changed topic name.
Logseman said:
I need your help here: does the free R800x BL unlock method still work? I need to start finetuning that kind of things for the people of other devices...
@IE_Core: wenn du mir kein Beispiel gibst kann ich eh nix tun i.e. I need the links which don't work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had to recover from a brick and start from square 1. I undid the root, relocked my bootloader went to 2.3.3 OTA. I was able to unlock and redo the root because I still had my phone's code.
Thanks for this i followed the sony instructions they didnt work, yours worked perfectly
which of the roms would you recommend? that was the only thing i would have liked to see in the second post was maybe the things the roms are good for e.g. o/c , hd record, ps1 emu etc
again thanks for the doing the guide id spent a few hours until i seen this thread it took 5 mins
Logseman is the man!
how to unlock my xplay r800i? what are the advantage and disadvantage of it? i really want to move all my apps to sd(32GB) but i cant my phone memory now is low so, is this the only way rooting my phone?
Just the type of thread I was looking for, great work.
Added note about OTA updates, and how the different ways of unlocking your phone are affected by them.
Hello, I was wondering the part DoomLords Kernel (based in stock), this prolly wont work for r800x 3.0.E.2.89 ?
hi to all of you,great forum instead,
I am new in this forum and I have a Sony Xperia S with
android 4.0.4,,
kernel 3.0.8+1.0.21100-30145-01957-gc34b591
build number : 6.1.A.2.55
I want to update to [ROM][WiP][4.2.2] CM-10.1 | OpenSEMC - 0.3 RELEASED, but the problem is that I don't know if my phone is rooted or not,I bought it and I think is unlocked.I saw something in this forum and I can't understand very well the procedures to update throw cwm,or even how to use cyanogen 10.1 etc..
Can someone help me how to update whith any simple way
thnx in advance
tinial said:
hi to all of you,great forum instead,
I am new in this forum and I have a Sony Xperia S with
android 4.0.4,,
kernel 3.0.8+1.0.21100-30145-01957-gc34b591
build number : 6.1.A.2.55
I want to update to [ROM][WiP][4.2.2] CM-10.1 | OpenSEMC - 0.3 RELEASED, but the problem is that I don't know if my phone is rooted or not,I bought it and I think is unlocked.I saw something in this forum and I can't understand very well the procedures to update throw cwm,or even how to use cyanogen 10.1 etc..
Can someone help me how to update whith any simple way
thnx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to see if you are unlocked go to the dialer and press *#*#7378423#*#*
go to service info>configuration and allmost in the botom line will say : bootloader unlock allowed - yes or no or it will say bootloader unlocked-yes check what it says and reply...
just to inform you its a little bit risky to unlock your phone - install custom roms ecpecially if you dont know much about it
devilakos said:
to see if you are unlocked go to the dialer and press *#*#7378423#*#*
go to service info>configuration and allmost in the botom line will say : bootloader unlock allowed - yes or no or it will say bootloader unlocked-yes check what it says and reply...
just to inform you its a little bit risky to unlock your phone - install custom roms ecpecially if you dont know much about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says bootloader status allowed yes
Then you need to do this first
http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
Then download advanced stock kernel from the development forum and follow this guide -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23181182
Sent from my 4.2.2 Xperia S via Tapatalk
If you want a stable rom with all Xperia's features, I suggest you to use only Stock Based Rom ( like XZX ) IMHO
i thinks its better for you to stay locked and install stock based rom.
jellybean update is really near .
Is it hard/risky to root install custom recovery and stuff on this phone? How is 4.4.2 roms fairing on this device?
thanks
capuagenclik said:
Is it hard/risky to root install custom recovery and stuff on this phone? How is 4.4.2 roms fairing on this device?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you unlock the bootloader then its easy, you just unlock it through sony site here
http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
then read this
[D550X] CWM-Based Recovery 6.0.4.6 + ROOT for Xperia Z1 Compact {KitKat!} [20140320]
Now if you want to backup DRM keys first, you must root it before unlocking BL, its a bit tricky but make sure you read instructions. Heres 2 thread for more info
Root and Dual Recovery for Locked Bootloader
[GUIDE] Back up DRM Keys & unlock/relock Bootloader (Noob proof)
As for roms I've only tried CM nightly, so far so good.
capuagenclik said:
Is it hard/risky to root install custom recovery and stuff on this phone? How is 4.4.2 roms fairing on this device?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting without unlocking bootloader is not hard (test point method to unlockbootloader on 2011 xperias is harder). It takes time though as you need to flash 3 times (z1f/docomo model, then normal z1, root and recovery, then z1 compact), continue to recovery then resore the whole system and do the re-root in recovery. (see link posted above). Rooting to kitkat takes more time as you need to get 4.3 root before update.
Personally I find the 4.3 (124) firmware very stable and relatively bugfree. Sony stock 4.4.2 have some bugs and minor update is reportedly incoming. If you buy and got one with 4.3, installed, my recomendation is to wait updating to kitkat until the updated firmware.
Thanks for the input guys I have decided to wait for z2 compact and hope Sony will give a better quality material also I heard they gave up on ASF so I will stick to my g2 atm since 4.4.2 is absolutely brilliant on it. But definitely be waiting for the z2 compact. Sorry if I wasted your time.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
Xperia Z1C owners.. i have a question about the speaker audio output quality.. i was reading the review from gsma and they mentioned about weak audio output, so what im confused about (cos i heard in many reviews) is whether the audio quality is good or not? cos volume levels can be bumped up with all the mods..
Audio for me no problem, there is a thread of mod to boot volume (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2476498) if u r rooted. For music I used V4A and better EQ quality.
there is also kitkat fix soon from sony so hopefully will sort out the kitkat bugs.
peRFect! said:
Xperia Z1C owners.. i have a question about the speaker audio output quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the end of the day it's a Phone speaker so it's as good as any other Phone speaker in my opinion.
Considering the phone is water resistant to IP58, I am quite happy with the sound, I expected less.
Hello,
I would like to know which ROM's are supporting FM radio and it's confirmed that FM radio is working?
Thnx ....
Hello!
I wanted to help answer your question...
I have an Ion with LOCKED bootloader (not able to unlock it - LT28at) but I have tried ALL (literally every one of them) the alternative ROMs offered for locked bootloader here on XDA.
MOST of the ROMs I have tried have had support for FM Radio. It's a very important feature for me so it's one of the first things I check when I flash a new ROM.
The ONLY ROMs that DO NOT support FM Radio are those based on CyanogenMod in any version. (CM9 or CM10, for Ions). This is true of the "pure" CyanogenMod ROMs as well as those that are modifications of them. It's a "known issue" of those ROMs.
It is also true, according to the forums, of CM for locked OR unlocked bootloaders; doesn't matter.
Hope that helps! If so, please click "thanks"! :laugh:
P.S.: There's one ROM that I tried that I never could get to load properly (bootloop no matter what I tried) so I'm not sure about that particular one: "Emerald Smooth ROM".
jebep said:
Hello!
I wanted to help answer your question...
I have an Ion with LOCKED bootloader (not able to unlock it - LT28at) but I have tried ALL (literally every one of them) the alternative ROMs offered for locked bootloader here on XDA.
MOST of the ROMs I have tried have had support for FM Radio. It's a very important feature for me so it's one of the first things I check when I flash a new ROM.
The ONLY ROMs that DO NOT support FM Radio are those based on CyanogenMod in any version. (CM9 or CM10, for Ions). This is true of the "pure" CyanogenMod ROMs as well as those that are modifications of them. It's a "known issue" of those ROMs.
It is also true, according to the forums, of CM for locked OR unlocked bootloaders; doesn't matter.
Hope that helps! If so, please click "thanks"! :laugh:
P.S.: There's one ROM that I tried that I never could get to load properly (bootloop no matter what I tried) so I'm not sure about that particular one: "Emerald Smooth ROM".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi can i use roll back to JB from kitkat, if yes then please guide me step by step.
i was not aware that kitkat does not have walkman, xloud, bravia engine, digital sound. also most of the apps downloaded from google or other sites are not getting in installed.
rakeshsade said:
hi can i use roll back to JB from kitkat, if yes then please guide me step by step.
i was not aware that kitkat does not have walkman, xloud, bravia engine, digital sound. also most of the apps downloaded from google or other sites are not getting in installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Walkman is available to install on any ROM if you look for it. Bravia engine doesn't work on any phone with unlocked bootloader, rolling back to JB won't help you there, you need to relock the bootloader (search for "relock bootloader xperia s"). Xloud barely works, I'm sure you never put a decibel meter against your phone to measure the difference between Xloud on a stock ROM and the loudest setting on a custom ROM.
Guide to roll back to JB:
Search for a .96 based ftf file and install it with Flashtool.
Or even easier (recommended):
Use EMMA: http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/how-to-download-and-install-the-flash-tool/. This will recognize your phone and automatically download the latest official firmware for it.
To relock the bootloader, I think the ftf file to do so is included in Flashtool (not EMMA, the unofficial Flashtool), there's an option in Flashtool to relock bootloader.
Redstarr1 said:
Walkman is available to install on any ROM if you look for it. Bravia engine doesn't work on any phone with unlocked bootloader, rolling back to JB won't help you there, you need to relock the bootloader (search for "relock bootloader xperia s"). Xloud barely works, I'm sure you never put a decibel meter against your phone to measure the difference between Xloud on a stock ROM and the loudest setting on a custom ROM.
Guide to roll back to JB:
Search for a .96 based ftf file and install it with Flashtool.
Or even easier (recommended):
Use EMMA: http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/how-to-download-and-install-the-flash-tool/. This will recognize your phone and automatically download the latest official firmware for it.
To relock the bootloader, I think the ftf file to do so is included in Flashtool (not EMMA, the unofficial Flashtool), there's an option in Flashtool to relock bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi
I have downloaded from [URL="http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/how-to-download-and-install-the-flash-tool/ but after installing it, my desktop has stopped functioning, afftected by Virus,
rakeshsade said:
hi
I have downloaded from [URL="http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/how-to-download-and-install-the-flash-tool/ but after installing it, my desktop has stopped functioning, afftected by Virus,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably installed something else from somewhere, the link I gave you is safe, guaranteed. It's Sony's own website
rakeshsade said:
hi
I have downloaded from [URL="http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/how-to-download-and-install-the-flash-tool/ but after installing it, my desktop has stopped functioning, afftected by Virus,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
My desktop has been working fine, but 2 days before have registered for EMMA, but have not received confirmation mail from Sony.
Xperia ion.
lt28h
rakeshsade said:
Hi,
My desktop has been working fine, but 2 days before have registered for EMMA, but have not received confirmation mail from Sony.
Xperia ion.
lt28h
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the zip file downloaded from Sony for the EMMA application installation there are two additional files: a pdf (with instructions) and an ini file.
In the pdf there is a specific step advising you to copy the ini file to some location after installing EMMA. This step is required instead of the registration.
stay in topic
the topic was fm radio.
i tried installing cm10 and carbon on xperia acro s.
neither had radio. after reading the first answer, i tried finding another rom but before that i read the features of each one.. fm radio was never mentioned and after some more research it appears to be a big problem for developers since it is rarely mentioned not even as a but or in todo lists. i suppose few people miss it but for me is a must as i frequently use it for my running sessions.
I even tried spirit fm but it doesnt work for non stock xperia roms. (not for my acro s cm10 anyway)
any ideas?
hello,
does any fm app like sipirit fm work on beanstalk rom for ion ?
i really like fm radio
if it dosen't work, is that a bug cant be solved or its just a minor bug to be done in some day?
thanks
i found this rom cm-10-20131224-FXP-hikari.zip with radio app (google it to find the link, i m not allowed yet).. however the radio app crashes a lot, and it is much inferior to the stock radio..
and, being in the kitkat era, i d love to see a kitkat rom with radio that would also be stable...
ps. if i ever manage to post this, i think it is going to be my last post, the f...en captcha has beaten me!
Hi!
Thinking about unlock my H815 bootloader but still have a feeling 50/50... So is there similar "problems" like Xperia Z3 that you are losing some camera quality after unlock?
If I unlock and f.e. want to test some CM roms - if I thinking about camera app vs Stock ROM - is there difference?
So... cons & pros plz...